A Wasco tradition depicted in paints and beadwork
A little dark-haired girl stands wide-eyed and watches as Wasco dancers on horseback sweep into view.
A teenage girl sits astride an appaloosa, shy, aware she is the focus of an ancient ceremony. She wears a striped blanket and...

Photo essay and Q&A with photographer Carol Sternkopf
What first inspired you to photograph rodeos?
I grew up in rural southern Wisconsin where I spent a lot of my childhood attending small-town “bratwurst” festivals, waiting for the circus train to come through town once a year, choreographing...

Pole Pedal Paddle
Spring brings warmth and competitive athletes to Bend as we approach the annual Pole Pedal Paddle race. On May 16, hundreds of racers will take to the slopes of Mt. Bachelor to begin their journey to Les Schwab Amphitheater.
Made up of six legs,...

Pack some delectable snacks and get outdoors
Picnic. That iconic ritual of warm days, involving food with friends and family, a breath of fresh air and a break from life’s hectic pace. Central Oregon lays out a wide blanket of options for picnickers, from public parks...

Accessible trails and destinations offer a taste of Central Oregon for wheelchairs and strollers alike
For our summer vacation last year, we drove the scenic 175 miles from Portland, passing picturesque Detroit Lake and crossing Santiam Pass to spend time in beautiful Bend, Oregon. Our mission:...

A mysterious search for the Oregon Sunstone
I waved my cell phone over my head towards the clear high desert sky like the classic fool, hoping for enough coverage to check my messages. We were in the middle of the Warner Valley in southeastern Oregon en...